The N-Word

The Denver Post ^ | March 12, 2006 | Alicia Caldwell

[djf]

The last ten times I heard this term, it came from the mouths of black folks.

Nigger ain't a color.

It's an attitude.

[BureaucratusMaximus]

BTW, I've had posts pulled for using the N word in a discussion of the N word. Just a word to the wise. The site can't afford to get in that kind of trouble.

Wow...that much trouble huh? During the summertime...I often hear that word uttered in "music" all the time when I'm on the road...hmmm....interesting phenomena.

[BureaucratusMaximus]

I use to get called "White Nigga" down in the Bahamas.

Those are the worst.

I long for the days when white folks got their a$$e$ beat for trying to "act" black.

[uncitizen]

One thing I recalled from this surprise was all of the white haters were from the northern states.

Some people think, and based on experience, i'm inclined to believe, that more black haters are from Northern states than Southern states. Ain't that funny? It just may be that the north is more racist than the south....just the opposite of what the MSM would like us to believe.

[metesky]

Hey, when-a I first-a come from Italy, my name was Ricardo Fachi, now everyone-a call me Dick Face.

[Mrs. Darla Ruth Schwerin]

Apology Accepted...

[Defiant]

That legend of the origin of "WOP" is colorful, but inaccurate.

"wop"
(Word Origins)

This derogatory word for "an Italian" does not stand for "without papers/passport", for "working on pavement", or for "western Oriental person". It comes from Italian dialectal _guappo_ = "thug", ultimately from Latin _vappa_ = "flat wine".

See also http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/CROATIA/2005-06/1118275021.

[shempy]

Apology Accepted...

Excellent! Now that we have that unpleasantness out of the way, let me rephrase my question.

You said "NO racial slurs geared to any group, should be tolerated. Our country needs to pull together, not apart. If we are citizens of the U.S. we are obligated to stand together. Otherwise, GET OUT..."

When you said "should be tolerated", it came accross somewhat ambigiously. That could be taken many ways. Are you saying that you believe as individuals we should avoid associations with folks that use racial groups and speak up against them when they do? Or were you saying that we should enact laws to punish the use of racial slurs?

Likewise, when you said, "If we are citizens of the U.S. we are obligated to stand together." I found it a bit unclear in meaning (no offense). What is the nature of this obligation? I assumed you meant it as a legal obligation, since you predicated this obligation on citizenship. Had you said, "As humans, we are obligated to stand together." I would have assumed you meant the obligation to be a moral one.

It could very well be that i agree with you. If you were saying that as individuals we should not tolerate racial slurs and that as humans we are morally obligated to avoid judging others based solely on race, then that squares with the constitution.

[dpa5923]

I married an Hispanic woman. I have been told I am just a racist who married her for "cover." No kidding.

[Navy Patriot]

I have been told I am just a racist who married her for "cover."

I assume the speaker is still limping.

[PeterFinn]

Chris Rock's commentary on this subject is most astute.

[ThisLittleLightofMine]

Thanks for the info.

[wotan]

This is a door that swings both ways.

Yes, I think so. Anti-white racism has reached a fever pitch and is inspiring a resurgence of white racism in a far more extreme form than has been seen in the past.

[conservative physics]

I'd have sued his ass, and had his wages garnished for the rest of his life if he broke my daughters nose.

[Oztrich Boy]

that would be WOP....for With out Papers (or passport)

Actually from Sicilian guappo (it originally meant handsome)

[TAdams8591]

Avoiding the use of racial epitaphs, slurs, or name calling is good manners and respectful and has nothing to do with political correctness. In my home and school growing up, long before the concept of political correctness, we were not permitted to use racial or religious epitaphs because we were taught to respect people of different races, ethnic groups and religions. You are confusing old fashioned common decency with political correctness.

While there should be no law against using such language, people should be encouraged to be respectful. They should also understand that certain name calling and language can incite violence.